Solo control for automatic player instruments



' 1,621,880 March 22, 1927- V J H HAMMOND. JR

SOLO CONTROL FOR AUTOMATIC PLAYER INSTRUMENTS Original Filed Julye. 1921 4 Sheets-Sheet 1 TO SOLO ORGHN N Jafin 55 295 lvfimmond fly, may, 6y

/IVVENTOR 22 1927. March J. H. HAMMOND, JR

SOLO CONTROL FOR AUTOMATIC PLAYER INSTRUMENTS 1 N VEN To 4 Sheets-Sheet 2 Original Filed Julye, 1921 RWN I LLLMMTTQ WI TNESS March 22 1927.

J. H. HAMMOND, JR

$0110 CONTROL FOR AUTOMATIC PLAYER INSTRUMENTS Original Filed Julye. 1921 4 sheets-Sheet 5 I N YEN T01? (EM @flfimmondcli' ,4 TTORNE) "1,621,880 Margh 22, J, H. HAMM JR SOLO CONTROL FOR AUTOMATIC PLAYER INSTRUMENTS Original Filed July6. 1921 4 Sheets-Sheet 4 ATTORNEY Patented Mar. 22, 192?.

UNITED STATES JOHN HAYS HAMMGND, 35., F GLOUQE$TEB, MASSACHUSETTS.

SOLO CONTROL FOR AUTOM TI PLAYER NS R M NTS- Application filed July 6, 1921, Serial No. 482,789.

Some of the objects of the present invention are to provide a self playing musical instrument having means or differentiating between the solo and accompaniment in the standard type of piano music; to provide means operated by a movable perforated piano music roll for playing a pipe organ whereby the notes of the solo organ can be selectively operated; to provide a self player mechanism {or pipe organs wherein selected portions 01 the player music roll can be selected at will and caused to be distributed to the solo organ or the accompaniment organ according to requirements g' and to provide other improvements as will hereinafter appear.

In the accompanying drawings, Fig. 1 represents a diagrammatic perspective of an organ control en' bodying one form of the present invention; Fig. 2 represents an en larged perspective, partly broken away, of another form of one of the control parts; Fig. 3 represents a sectional elevation of the part shown in Fig. 2; Fig. 4 represents a section on line 4-41 of F 3; Fig. 5 is enlarged detail in end elevation or one or" the motion transmitting pulleys; Fig. 6 shows a mechanical connection for operating the key automatically; and Fig. 7 shows die ramatically details of the connections between the selective relay and the solo accompaniment organs.

Referring to the drawings, one form of the present invention is shown in ,F l arranged in conjunction with a music roll player mechanism 10, and a. keyboard 11 connected in the usual manner for operation from the player mechanism 10, the combination functioning to control the solo and accompaniment organs (not shown).

For purposes of illustration the keyboarr 11 is shown with three keys 12, 13 and 14, though in actual practice full keyboard is, of course, employed, each key being pivotally mounted upon a common rod 15 supported by a frame 16. The keys 12, 13 and 14 are arranged to be depressed either manually or by the player mechanism 10. In the latter case the movement of a perforated paper strip 17, winding from one roll 18 to an other roll 20 and crossing a tracker bar 21 causes the perforations in the strip 17 to register with openings in the tracker bar 21 to cause the operation of the pneumatics (see Fig. 6) by which selection of the keys to be depressed is made, Each key is pro- Renewed July 27, 1926.

vided with a pneumatic control valve 200 which is operated manually by depression of the responsive key, such as 14. A vacuum pump 201 is connected by means of a conducting pipe 202 to the pneumatic 200 and a second conducting pipe 208 interconnects the pneumatic 200 with one of the openings in the tracker bar 21. Thus whenthe respective opening in the tracker bar 21 registers with a perforation in the roll 17. -the vacuum in the pipe 203 and the associated pneumatic 200 is relieved thereby causing the operation of the respective key 1% automatically. A source of wind pressure, such as a wind chest 204, of well known construction is provided and is connected by means of a conducting pipe 205 to a part of the pneumatic 200 and another conducting pipe 206 extends from the pneumatic 200 to a tone producing mechanism such as an organ pipe 207. The arrangement is such that when the pneumatic 200 is actuated, either manually or automatically as just described, the pipe 205 is interconnected with the pipe 206 thus causing the flow ot' air from the wind chest 20 1 to the tone producing pipe 207, and produces a musical sound. It is understood that each key of the key board is provided with a pneumatic 200 and a tone sounding pipe 20?, each of the tone producing pipes being tuned to a difierent pred termined pitch. The foregoing parts are all of standard construction and further detailed description is deemed unnecessary.

11s a. means for operating either the solo organ pipes or the accompaniment organ pipes in accordance with the key or keys depressed on the keyboard 10, the solo organ 210 Fig. 7) is arranged to be controlled, in the present form, by three electrical circuits including respectively conductors 22, 23 and 2% leading to fixed contacts 25, and 2'? respectively. The accompaniment organ 211 is also arranged to be controlled, in the present term, by three electrical circuits including respectively conductors 30. 31 and 3; leading respectively to fixed contacts 33, 34 and 35. A common return conductor 36 is provided from the circuits for the solo and accompaniment organs and leads to one pole of a battery 37. The respective circuits are completed respectively by a conductor 38 leading from the other pole of the battery 37 to three fixed contact fingers 10, 11 and 42 each arranged above one of the keys and in the path of movement 'the contacts 25 and when the key 12 is depressed.

respectively of-contactors 48, 44 and 45 carried by the respective keys 12, 13 and 14. The circuit including contact finger 40 is completed through a fixed contact finger 46 bonded to a conductor 47 which leads to a movable switch arm, here shown in the form of a pivoted armature 48 positioned between The contactor 43 is arranged to bridge the fingers 40 and 46 The circuit including contact finger 41 is completed through a fixed contact finger 50 bonded to a conductor 51,.which leads to a movable switch arm, here shown in the form of a pivoted armature 52 positioned between the contacts 26 and 34. The contactor 44 is arranged to bridge the fingers 41 and 50 when the key 13 is depressed. The third circuit including contact finger 42 is similarly completed by a contact finger 53, conductor 54 and pivoted armature 55. The contactor 45 is arranged tobridge the fingers 42 and 53 when the key 14 is depressed.

For selectively operating the armaturcs 4 52 and 55 to operate either selected pipes of the solo organ or of the accompaniment organ, a plurality of relays 56, 57 and 58 are provided for respectively actuating the armatures 48, 52 and 55, when energized, to close one or more of the circuits controlled by the respective contacts 25, or 26, or 27. Springs 60, 61 and 62 are arranged to respectively return the armatures 48, 52 and 55 to normal position in contact with the respective contacts 33, 34 and 35, when the relays are deenergized.

For the purpose of selectively operating the relays 56, 57 and 58, one end of the winding of each is connected to a common return conductor 63 leading to one pole of a battery 64. The other end of the winding of relay 06 is connected by aconductor 65 to a brush 66; the other end of the winding of relay 57 is connected by a conductor 67 to a brush 68; and the other end of the winding of relay 58 is connected by a, conductor 70 to a brush 71. The brushes 66, 68 and 71 are rigidly carried by a fixed arm 72 of insulating material, preferably curved concentrically with respect to a drum 73 of insulating material having a substantially triangular insert 74 of conducting material embedded in its periphery. This insert 74 is electrically connected by a conductor 75 to shaft 76 whch forms the supporting axisv for rotating the drum 73 and terminates in a handle 77 by which it can be turned at will in the desired manner. A brush 78 is mounted upon an insulation block 80 and is connected by a conductor 81 to the other pole of the battery 64. A bracket 82 fast to the frame 16 forms a support for the block 80, for the arm 72 and other parts as will later appear. The shaft 76 is preferably journalled in the frame 16 and is connected by an insulating coupling 83 with a coaxial shaft 84.

For indicating what notes of the paper strip 17 are to be played upon the solo organ, a pair of pointers 85 and 86 are provided, each extending into juxtaposed relation to the paper strip 17 in close proximity to the tracker bar 21. The pointer 85 is rigid with a bushing 87 mounted for sliding movement upon a bar 90 fixed to the frame 16. The pointer 86 is rigid with a like bushing 91 also slidably mounted upon the bar 90. v

F or moving the respective bushings 87 and 91 relative to the bar 90 a cord 92 as its ends fastened to a lug 98 on the bushing 87, and passes, in one direction, about an idle roller 94, and in the opposite direction about rollers 95 and 96, and around a pulley 97 or like member keyed to the shaft 84, A second cord 100 has its ends fas tened to a lug 101 on the bushing 91 and passes in one direction about an idle roller 102, and in the opposite direction about rollers 103 and 104, and around a policy 105 also keyed to the shaft 84. The shaft 84 is provided with two spiral ke-yways 106 and 107, and the mounting of the two shafts 76 and 84 is such that in addition to a rotary movement an endwise movement is also possible. These keyways 106 and 107 are cut in opposite directions but with the same pitch so that when the shaft 84 is shifted in an axial directionthe pulleys 97 and 105 will be caused to rotate in opposite directions through equal angles due to the respect-ve keys 110 sliding in the spiral keyways 106 and 107. The pulleys 97 and 105 are mounted respectively between brackets 111 and 112 to prevent longitudinal movement thereof. The respective cor'ds 92 and 100 are secured to the pulleys 97 and 105 at one point to prevent slipping thereof when the pulleys 97 and 105 are rotated.

In the operation of the form of the invention above described, the player mechanism 10 operates the keys 12, 13 and 14 in the well known manner of player instruments, so that when a. perforation in the paper strip 17 registers with its opening in the tracker bar 21, the corresponding key of the key board 11 is depressed. In the present case the key 13 is shown depressed, thus bringing the contractor 44 into bridging position with the fingers 41 and 50 to close the circuit of conductor 51, armature 52, conductor 23, to the operating device for the corresponding note of the solo organ 210, return conductor 36, battery 37 and conductor 88 to the finger 41. The foregoing circuit for operating the solo organ has been selected key 1% should be depressed, current would pass by way of the armature 55 to the con ductor 82 so that the note corresponding to the key 1% would be played upon the accompanimentorgan 211. It will therefore be evident thatwhen a key of the instrument is depressed current will be supplied to the armature of the correspoindi g relay, and tron there distributed to the corresponding note either in the solo or accon'ipanimcnt organ depending upon whether the corresponding relay is energized as shown by the relays 5G or 57, or decnergized as shown by the relay The energization of the relays 5-6, 5'? and 58 is determined by the position of the brushes tit), 68 and 71 with respect to the drum 7S, and this latter is here arranged be controlled manually from the handle Those brushes which in contact with the conducting insert 74 will cause roper relays to be energized to sound notes on the solo organ corresponding to the depressed keys, while those brushes which rest upon the insulated drum 73 will cause the proper relays to be de-ener 'zed to sound notes on the accompaniment o an corresponding to the depressed keys. 'lhus mating the handle '7? the drum T3 can r rotated or moved axially in either direction so that any desired notes can be thrown on the solo organ while the. remaining notes are play d upon the accoin animent or -in.

Jll order to know just which will be plaved on the solo organ 210 when the 7? is operated, the indicating pointers S5 and 86, with their mechanism, are provided. For example, when the drum moved axially, to the left as seen in 19'. 1, the conducting insert will move an increasing number of brushes on side of a central position so that a correspond number ol' notes on either side of this tent-ral position will be played on the solo organ. This central position of the drum 73 is visibly indicated by the position of the pointers and 86, the between said pointers indicating the notes to be played on the solo moan, and 1 is space outside of the pointe indicating? th accompaniment. These pointers 85 and 86 v: y in relation as the drum 73 is moved because an axial movementof the drrn T3 to the lett as seen in 1 operates through the spiral keyways and 106 to rotate the pulleys 9'? and 105 in a counterclockwise and clockwise direction respectively. 'lh cords 92 and 100 will, therefore, he moved so as to move the pointers and 86 to the left and to the right respectively to an amountwhich corresponds to the number of brusi es which have moved upon the conducting insert '54. The spiral keyways 101 and 106 and the size of the pulleys 9. and 105 are so proportioned that the pointers 85 and 86 will be moved so as to include between them, on the paper strip 17, the notes which will be played on the solo organ as heretofore described.

When the drum 73 is rotated by means of the handle 77, a certain number of the brushes will move upon the insert Tl at one side, while at the other side the same munber of brushes will move off the insert 74c to the insulated body of the drum. The rotation of the shaft 76 is transmitted to the shaft B l, which is thus rotated at like amount and tur s the pulleys 97 and 105 an equal amount in the same direction, thereby actuating the cords 92 and to move the slidable bushings 87 and 91 an equal amount in the same direction, so that the pointers S5 and 86 will move across the paper 17, keeping an equal distance apart, and between them will be indicated the notes which will be played on the solo organ.

in the modified form of the invention shown in Figs. 2, 3 and 41 the relays 56, 57 and 58, together with the drum distributor T3 are replaced by a drum contact mechanism, otherwise the music roll player lllQt'llanism 10, the keyboard 11 and indicating pointers 85 and 86 with their associated parts remain the same.

In this embodiment of the invention the conductors 17, 51 and 54:. of the keys are connected respectively to the middle flexible spring double contactors 121, 122 and 123 of three sets of contact members, while the conductors 22, 23 and 24 of the solo organ control are connected respectively to outer contacts 12%, 125 and 126 of these sets, and the conductors 30, 31 and 32 of the acc0mpani ment organ are connected respectively to the other inner contacts 127, 128 and 129 disposed on the opposite sides of the metal contacts 121, 122 and 123-. The respective sets of contacts are fixed at one end to the surface of a cylinder 131, being insulated and spaced one from another by insulation blocks 132, 133 and 13l. The outer free ends of the pairs of contacts in each, set are provided with contact points 135, 136, 137. 138, 139 and l lO, the arrangement being such that the respective double contactors 121, 122 and 123 are normally in contact with the contact points 135, 136 and 137, but extend beyond the adjacent cont-acts on each side thereof in order to project into the path of movement of a plurality of radially disposed rods 1 12, 143 and 1 14: which are arranged for free sliding movement through the wall of the cylinder 131. The outer ends of these rods 14:2, 143 and 1 1 1 are tipped respectively with insulation 1 15, while the inner ends seat against the periphery of a cylindrical member 146 which is rigid with a shaft 147 and has a raised cam surface 1&8, the outer face of which is concentric with the cylindrical member 146.

iii

Theshaft 147 corresponds tothe shaft 76 of Fig. 1, being connected to the indicating mechanism as already described and having an operating handle 150.

In the operation of this modified form of the invention of Figs. 2, 3 and d taken in connection with Fig. 1, the player mechanism 10 controls the keyboard 11 as previously described. When a key is depressed either manually or under the action of the player mechanism the circuit is closed through either of the conductors 47, 51 or 54 depending upon which of the keys 12, 13 or 14 has been depressed. The current is thus led to the double contactor of the selected set or sets or contacts 121, 122 or 123. The rods 1&2 and 1&3 being pushed outward, because they are upon the cam surface 1&8, move their respective contactors 121 and 122 into contact respectively with the contacts 12a and 125, thus directing the current by conductors 22 and 23 to the solo organ. As the rod 1% is resting upon the surface of the cylinder M6, the double contactor 123 is in normal position directing the current by way of contact 129 and conductor 32 to the accompaniment organ. Thus, in each instance when the double contactors are raised by the rods to engage the outer contacts the current is directed to the solo organ for playing notes corresponding to the keys depressed; while in each instance when the double contactors are free under their spring action to engage the inner contacts the current is directed to the accompaniment organ for playing notes corresponding to the keys depressed.

The operation of the handle 150 and haft 148 upon the indicating mechanism is pre cisely similar to that heretofore described in connection with Fig. 1 and therefore need not be hererepeated.

Having thus described my invention, I claim:

1. In a musi-al player instrument, the

combination of solo and accompaniment pipe organ parts, mechanical. player devices including a player roll, and ctive manually controlled means registering with a portion of said player roll for causing said player devices to effect production of certain notes upon said solo organ part and other notes upon said accompaniment organ part.

2. In a musical player instrument, the combination of solo and accompaniment pipe organ parts, mechanical player devices including a player roll, selective means registering with a portion of said player roll controlled by said player devices for causing predetermined production ot certain notes upon said solo organ part and other notes upon said accompaniment organ parts, and means to indicate the notes to be selected,

3. In a musical player instrument, the combination of a keyboard, mechanical player devices for selectively controlling said keyboard including a player roll, means controlled by the operation of said keyboard and registering with said paper roll for producing predetermined notes upon a solo organ or upon an accompaniment organ, and means for distributing said notes at will to either said solo organ or said accompaniment organ according to requirements.

d- In a musical player instrument, the combination of a keyboard, mechanical player devices for selectively controlling said keyboard including aplayer roll, means controlled by the operation of said keyboard and registering with said paper roll for roducing predetermined notes upon a solo organ or upon an accompaniment organ, means "for distributing said notes to either said solo organ or said accompaniment organ according to requirements, and means operating in conjunction with said player devices for indicating notes to be distributed to said solo organ. 1

In a musical player instrument, the combination of a keyboard, mechanical player devices for selectively controlling said keyboard, means controlled by the operation of said keyboard for producing predetermined notes upon a solo organ or upon an accompaniment organ, and means,including a plurality of electric circuits, a plurality of contact devices therefor and a movable drum control for said contact devices, for distributing said notes to either said solo organ or said accompaniment organ.

6- In a musical player instrument, the combination of a keyboard, mechanical player devices for selectively controlling said keyboard, means controlled by the operation of said keyboard for producing predetermined notes upon a solo organ or upon an accompaniment organ, means, including a plurality of electric circuits, a plurality of contact devices therefor and a movable drum control for said contact devices, for distributing said notes toeither said solo organ or said accompaniment organ, and means con trolled by said drum control for indicating notes to be distributed to said solo organ.

7. In a a musical player instrument, the combination of a keyboard, mechanical player devices for selectively controlling said keyboard, means controlled by the operation of said keyboard for producing predetermined notes upon a solo organ or upon an accompaniment organ, means, including a plurality of electric circuits, a plurality of contact devices therefor and a movable drum control for said contact devices, for distributing said notes to either said solo organ or said accompaniment organ, and means including spaced pointers actuated by said drum control'for indicating notes of said player devices to be distributed to said olo organ.

8. In a musical player instrument, the combination of a keyboard, mechanical player devices for selectively controlling said keyboard including a player roll, means controlled by the operation of said keyboard and registering with said paper roll for producing predetermined notes upon a solo organ or upon an accompaniment organ, and means, including a plurality of electric circuits, a plurality of contact devices there for and a drum operable at will for selecting certain of said contact devices, for distributing said notes to said solo and accompaniment organs in a predetermined manner.

9. In a musical player instrument, the combination of a plurality of keys comprising a keyboard, mechanical player devices including a perforated roll for selectively operating said keys, a plurality of incomplete electric circuits controlled respectively by said keys, and means including a pointer registering with said perforated roll to complete certain selected incomplete circuits for causing notes corresponding to operated keys to be sounded upon either a solo organ or an accompaniment organ.

10. In a musical player instrument, the combination 01 a plurality of keys comprising a keyboard, mechanical player devices including a perforated roll for selectively operating said keys, a plurality of incomplete electric circuits controlled respectively by said keys, means to complete certain selected incomplete circuits for causing notes corresponding to operated keys to be sounded upon either a solo organ or an accompaniment organ, and means including a pointer registering with said perforated roll operable at will for selecting the solo organ for certain predetermined notes.

11. In a musical instrument, solo and accompaniment instrument parts, a mechanical player device, means controlled by said de vice for playing the instrument and selective control means for causing said player device to operate the solo instrument or accompaniment instrument at will, said selective control means including an interrupter for indicating the notes sounded on the solo iii-- strument.

12. In a musical instrument, solo and ac companiment instrument parts, a mechanical player device, means controlled by said device for playing the instrument and selective control means for causin said player device to play certain notes on the solo instrument and other notes on the accompaniment instrument, said selective control means including an interrupter for indicating the notes sounded on the solo instrument.

13. In a musical instrument including a solo instrument and an accompaniment instrument, a mechanical player device in ii. a musical rninent including a solo instrument and an accompanimentinstri cut, a mechanical player device include ing a note sheet, sole-c .'Q means for camv i g the player device to sound any desired notes on eitner instrument, and means connected to said selective means for indi ating on the note sheet the notes sounded on the solo instrument.

15. In a musical instrument including asolo instrument and an accompaniment instrument, a mechanical player device includa note sheet, selective means for causing the player on either instrument, and means connected to said selective means and movable across the note sheet for indicating on the note sheet the notes sounded on the solo instrument.

16. in a musical instrument including a solo instrument and an accompaniment instrument, a mechanical player device including a note sheet, and selective manually controlled means for causing the player device to sound any desired notes on either instrument, said selective means including an interrupter for indicating the notes sounded on the solo instrument.

17. In a musical instrument including a solo instrument and an accompaniment in strument, a. mechanical player device in eluding a note sheet, selective means for causing the player device to sound any desired notes on either instrument, and means associated with said selective means for in dicating on the note sheet the notes sounded on the solo instrinnent.

18. In a musical player instrument, the combination or a keyboard, mechanical player devices for selectively controlling said keyboard, means controlled by the operation ot said keyboard for producing predetermined notes upon asolo organ or upon an accompaniment organ, and means for distributing said notesto either said solo organ or said accompaniment organ including a plurality of electric circuits, a plurality of: contact devices therefor, a movable drum control for said devices, said drum including a tapering contact element selectively engaging said contact devices, means for mov'n said drum longitudinally, and means for rotating said drum.

19. In a musical player instrument, the combination with plurality of sources of sound tuned to the notes of the musical scale, respectively, a note sheet indicating the music to be played by actuating said sources to produce sound, and means for variably device to sound any desired notes operating said sources to accentuate a portion of the music being played with respect to the remainder to produce a solo, including a plurality of control devices for selectively controlling said accentuating means, a drum movable rotatablyabout and longitudinally along its axis, a tapering ele ment mounted on the periphery of the drum and operatively engaging said control devices, and a movable indicating device registering with said note sheet to indicate the relative position of said drum.

20. In a musical player instrument, the combination with a plurality of sources of sound tuned to the notes of the musical scale respectively, a note sheet for indicating the music being played, means for variably op erating said sources to accentuate a desired portion of the music as a solo part, and a movable indicator controlled by said last named means and registering with said note sheet to indicate thereon the solo part of the music.

Signed at New York, in the county of New York, and State of New York, this 14th day of June, 1921. v

JOHN HAYS HABHEQND, 

